BEACHWOOD, Ohio -- Israeli athletes in town to compete in the Gay Games in Cleveland and Akron gathered Thursday evening at a special place, the memorial to slain Olympic athlete David Berger at the Mandel Jewish Community Center.

Berger was the 1962 Shaker Heights High School graduate who was one of 11 members of the Israeli team killed by Palestinian terrorists in September1972 during the Munich Olympic Games. A memorial was designed in his memory a year later and stood at the Jewish Community Center when it was located on Mayfield Road, and then went on to make the trip to the organization's current home, 26001 S. Woodland Road.

During the private ceremony attended by 180 people Thursday evening, six gay athletes and several officials from Israel remembered the 11 killed, reflected on Israel's past and present conflicts, and recognized their freedom to live in a tolerant country. Though most, if not all the athletes had yet to be born in 1972, Berger's name is well known to them.

"Naturally, every Israeli knows the name of David Berger," said swimmer Sagi Krispin, 38, of Tel Aviv. "I actually didn't know he was from this community. It was emotional to be there to see the memorial and the three flags flying next to it."

The memorial features broken rings, commemorating how the Olympic ideal of peace was shattered that day 42 years ago. Next to it, for the ceremony, were Israeli and American flags, as well as the gay pride rainbow flag.

"I'm speechless," said Aviv Collen, a runner from Holom, Israel, after witnessing the memorial. "It was symbolic. With the end of conflict in Gaza (a cease fire agreement) and the acceptance here. It symbolizes that we can all come together."

Collen said a memorial to all 11 killed in Munich stands in Tel Aviv.

Jane Friedman, of Beachwood, was a guest speaker at the event. Friedman and her late husband, Max, were longtime friends of the Berger family.

She recounted watching in horror on television as the tragedy in Munich unfolded. Friedman told of how David Berger, a lawyer when he died at age 28, had accomplished much in his life.

Berger had moved to Israel with plans to practice law there.

"He had no expectation of winning a medal," Friedman said. "Simply walking in the opening ceremony was enough for him and made his dream come true."

Friedman told of how Berger was accompanied to the games by his siblings, Fred and Barbara, and how his brother and sister left after the opening ceremony. Days later, they learned what happened while camping in Austria.

Berger's father, Ben, 97 and living in Maine with daughter, Barbara, learned to live with what happened.

"He never experienced hatred," Friedman said. "He only talked about the great things David was able to do in his life."

Then-President Richard Nixon had Berger's body flown home, where it was buried in Mayfield Cemetery. His mother, Dorothy, who died four years ago, is buried next to him.

Among those in town for the ceremony, is Elad Strohmayer, deputy consul general of Israel to the mid-Atlantic region. Strohmayer, who is openly gay and who will compete in the games as a sailor, spoke at the ceremony about the need for people of all kinds to have "life, liberty and the pursuit of freedom."

"When it comes to gay rights, there is still more to achieve," said the representative of the Israeli government who lives in Philadelphia.

After the ceremony, Strohmayer spoke of the difficult times his countrymen have faced in recent weeks.

"Eighty percent, or six million people in Israel, are under the threat of rocket fire," he said. "I think about my family all the time.

"(Israel's) position has been, all along, that quiet will be met with quiet. If Hamas poses a new threat, we will react. It's our obligation to protect our people."

As for the Gay Games taking place in Cleveland, Strohmayer said, "Cleveland is a great city. The community and people are very welcoming. It's like a small town in a large town.

"This town is more open than others. Cleveland is going to have a great reputation for hosting the games."

Following the ceremony, all present walked to the nearby Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage to view the current exhibit, centered on the film "Inferno."

At the museum, its founder, Milton Maltz, spoke.

"This is a museum of tolerance and diversity," he said. "Jews know what this is all about."

The opening ceremony of the games takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday at Quicken Loans Arena. Athletes from 52 countries will compete.

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